Heavy forced labor on the sugar plantations in the Caribbean Islands constantly reduced the number of slaves, that led to the need for continuous replenishment of the new slaves from Africa. Different ethnic Africans groups adapted to the new conditions in diverse ways, but one of the ways of this adaptation was cultural survival. Various African cults turned into a powerful weapon in the struggle with an alien culture. In these difficult conditions various cults, aimed on struggle with slave-holders, and on the ability to manipulate their fellows, receive additional significance among the slaves. In this heterotopian cultural plurality an image of zombies, made to unite the Africans in their struggle for freedom and give them an incentive to survive, was born.

Heavy forced labor on the sugar plantations in the Caribbean Islands constantly reduced the number of slaves, that led to the need for continuous replenishment of the new slaves from Africa. Different ethnic Africans groups adapted to the new conditions in diverse ways, but one of the ways of this adaptation was cultural survival. Various African cults turned into a powerful weapon in the struggle with an alien culture. In these difficult conditions various cults, aimed on struggle with slave-holders, and on the ability to manipulate their fellows, receive additional significance among the slaves. In this heterotopian cultural plurality an image of zombies, made to unite the Africans in their struggle for freedom and give them an incentive to survive, was born.